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Judge Rules Disputed Oklahoma High School Football Game Won't Be Replayed

A screen capture from the Nov. 28 Douglass-Locust Grove high school football playoff game that ended in controversy.
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A screen capture from the Nov. 28 Douglass-Locust Grove high school football playoff game that ended in controversy.

Oklahoma County District Judge Bernard Jones has denied a request by Douglass High School in Oklahoma City to replay a disputed playoff game against Locust Grove.

In his ruling Thursday morning, Jones said even though Douglass’s request was rooted in equity, it’s impossible to make sure that replaying any part of the Nov. 28 game would be fair to all involved.

There is simply no way to fully and completely replicate the events and conditions of the disputed quarterfinal in such a way that would alleviate any and all anxiety or question of fairness. Unfortunately, whether in terms of the weather or field conditions, player fatigue, the actions of the coaches or referees, etc., on the day of the quarterfinal, there is no best way to right this wrong without creating even greater uncertainty or inviting further error.

The Associated Press reports an improperly enforced penalty erased a touchdown that would have put Douglass ahead of Locust Grove with 64 seconds left. Locust Grove held on to win 20-19, and Douglass appealed to the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.

The association's staff declined the appeal, and its board rejected the replay options, prompting Douglass to go to court.

Oklahoma City Public Schools District Athletic Director Keith Sinor said in a statement OKCPS won’t appeal the ruling, but instead will work with the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.

Even though state Sen. David Holt’s 30th District does not include the high school located just east of downtown Oklahoma City, he’s been a vocal critic of the outcome of the game, and took to Twitter shortly after the decision.

The ruling paves the way for Locust Grove to take on Heritage Hall Friday night at 7 p.m. in Sapulpa.

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Brian Hardzinski is from Flower Mound, Texas and a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He began his career at KGOU as a student intern, joining KGOU full time in 2009 as Operations and Public Service Announcement Director. He began regularly hosting Morning Edition in 2014, and became the station's first Digital News Editor in 2015-16. Brian’s work at KGOU has been honored by Public Radio News Directors Incorporated (PRNDI), the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters, the Oklahoma Associated Press Broadcasters, and local and regional chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Brian enjoys competing in triathlons, distance running, playing tennis, and entertaining his rambunctious Boston Terrier, Bucky.
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